Baghdatis digs deep to start the year with Brisbane win

MARCOS Baghdatis was made to work hard in his 2011 ATP World Tour opener, battling past Florent Serra of France 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the first round of the Brisbane International.
After going an early break down in the first set and trailing 3-0, the Limassol native immediately fought back but his serve was broken again in the sixth game by the experienced Frenchman, who then went on to take the first set.
Baghdatis was strong on serve in a close second set, firing down eight aces and not facing a single break point.
The Cypriot took his chance on Serra’s serve in the 12th game, breaking his opponent to level the match and force a decider.
Baghdatis again broke Serra’s serve in the sixth game of the third set to take a 4-2 lead, but then committed two double faults in the following game, allowing the Frenchman to hit back instantly and eventually level the scores at 4-4.
However, the world number 20 held his nerve in a tense tenth game and broke for the fourth time in the match to seal victory on his third match point, after two hours and 21 minutes.
Next up for Baghdatis at the hard-court tournament will be World No. 70 Lukasz Kubot of Poland, who cruised through his opener against German Daniel Brands 6-2, 6-2.
Kubot and Baghdatis have never played each other at an ATP World Tour, Grand Slam or Davis Cup main draw event.

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